Totem Poles
Totem poles are some of the most recognized of all Native American crafts. If you have ever seen a totem pole, perhaps you have wondered what it means. Come along and visit the tribes who have created these special works of art and discover the important meaning behind this craft. Have you ever wondered…
What is a totem pole?
Why do some cultures create totem poles?
What do some of the symbols commonly found on totem poles mean?
Did you know?
Totem poles are sculptures carved from large trees, such as the Western Red Cedar. In North America, totem poles are part of the cultures of many indigenous peoples of Alaska, British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. Totem poles serve many purposes beyond their beauty, and their meanings are as varied as the cultures that make them.
Some totem poles represent stories or important events. On these poles, each figure on the totem represents part of a story. These totems are used as a way to record the history and legends of the tribes.
Figures on a totem pole are not gods to be worshipped. Instead, they represent traits and characteristics each clan or story embodies.
There are many other types of totem poles. Genealogy poles are erected in front of a family’s home to represent the owner’s clan or social status. Memorial poles are carved in honor of a deceased clan member. Mortuary poles are also raised in honor of the dead and include a small compartment for the ashes of the deceased.
Another interesting type of totem pole is the shame pole. Shame poles are carved to embarrass and ridicule someone who has done something wrong.
Shame poles are taken down once the person has made amends. A famous shame pole erected in Cordova, Alaska, included the face of an oil company businessman. It is said to represent the unpaid debt the oil company owes for damages caused by the oil spill in Valdez, Alaska.
Colors used to paint totem poles were limited. Artists relied on natural pigments. Black was the most common, made by grinding soot, graphite or charcoal. Red came from red ochre, a clay-like material. Blue-green was made from copper sulfide.
Common figures found on totem poles include the raven (a symbol of The Creator), the eagle (representing peace and friendship), the killer whale (a symbol of strength), the thunderbird, the beaver, the bear, the wolf and the frog.
Though the totem pole has been a part of history for decades, totem poles are still created today. Native carvers in the Northwest continue to carve totems as symbols of their cultural pride and clan kinship. Try it out!
Have you ever thought about making your very own totem pole? This activity will teach you how.
Before you begin, think about what type of totem pole you would like to create. Perhaps you could make a totem pole that tells a story about your family.
Think about the characteristics and qualities that represent each person in your family. What animal embodies each of those qualities?
If you prefer, you can paint the faces of each family member on the totem pole. Don’t forget to include family pets! Wonder words to know and use:
totem pole
sculpture
culture
indigenous
Native American
legend
tribe
trait
characteristic
clan
genealogy
status
memorial
deceased
mortuary
amends
pigment
soot
graphite
charcoal
Still wondering?
Can’t get enough of Native American culture? Visit ArtsEdge.org to watch the Native Pride Dancers demonstrate the traditional eagle, fancy, grass and hoop dances.
Kid's Site 2: The Web Page - Craft - Totem Pole http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaR5O-3lBJc
http://westernreservepublicmedia.org/onestate/herronna.htm
How to make a hula hoop loom!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtKihiq013w&feature=related
Totem Poles
Totem poles are some of the most recognized of all Native American crafts. If you have ever seen a totem pole, perhaps you have wondered what it means. Come along and visit the tribes who have created these special works of art and discover the important meaning behind this craft.
Have you ever wondered…
- What is a totem pole?
- Why do some cultures create totem poles?
- What do some of the symbols commonly found on totem poles mean?
Did you know?Totem poles are sculptures carved from large trees, such as the Western Red Cedar. In North America, totem poles are part of the cultures of many indigenous peoples of Alaska, British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. Totem poles serve many purposes beyond their beauty, and their meanings are as varied as the cultures that make them.
Some totem poles represent stories or important events. On these poles, each figure on the totem represents part of a story. These totems are used as a way to record the history and legends of the tribes.
Figures on a totem pole are not gods to be worshipped. Instead, they represent traits and characteristics each clan or story embodies.
There are many other types of totem poles. Genealogy poles are erected in front of a family’s home to represent the owner’s clan or social status. Memorial poles are carved in honor of a deceased clan member. Mortuary poles are also raised in honor of the dead and include a small compartment for the ashes of the deceased.
Another interesting type of totem pole is the shame pole. Shame poles are carved to embarrass and ridicule someone who has done something wrong.
Shame poles are taken down once the person has made amends. A famous shame pole erected in Cordova, Alaska, included the face of an oil company businessman. It is said to represent the unpaid debt the oil company owes for damages caused by the oil spill in Valdez, Alaska.
Colors used to paint totem poles were limited. Artists relied on natural pigments. Black was the most common, made by grinding soot, graphite or charcoal. Red came from red ochre, a clay-like material. Blue-green was made from copper sulfide.
Common figures found on totem poles include the raven (a symbol of The Creator), the eagle (representing peace and friendship), the killer whale (a symbol of strength), the thunderbird, the beaver, the bear, the wolf and the frog.
Though the totem pole has been a part of history for decades, totem poles are still created today. Native carvers in the Northwest continue to carve totems as symbols of their cultural pride and clan kinship.
Try it out!
Have you ever thought about making your very own totem pole? This activity will teach you how.
Before you begin, think about what type of totem pole you would like to create. Perhaps you could make a totem pole that tells a story about your family.
Think about the characteristics and qualities that represent each person in your family. What animal embodies each of those qualities?
If you prefer, you can paint the faces of each family member on the totem pole. Don’t forget to include family pets!
Wonder words to know and use:
- totem pole
- sculpture
- culture
- indigenous
- Native American
- legend
- tribe
- trait
- characteristic
- clan
- genealogy
- status
- memorial
- deceased
- mortuary
- amends
- pigment
- soot
- graphite
- charcoal
Still wondering?Can’t get enough of Native American culture? Visit ArtsEdge.org to watch the Native Pride Dancers demonstrate the traditional eagle, fancy, grass and hoop dances.
Kid's Site 2: The Web Page - Craft - Totem Pole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaR5O-3lBJc
Dream Catcher
The making of the sacred hoop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQQ8ZVHNirY&feature=related
Morning song/ Native American/ Beautiful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VqoxOcEqpk&feature=related
Make totems:
http://www.papertotempoles.com/pages/spirit/161totem.htm